The major thought I have about this year’s event is the remarkable level of participant support and assistance exhibited throughout the race. I personally saw Bill Baker, an FSK entry and a SK entry (regrettably I don’t know their names or remember their numbers) helping a surf ski paddler to remount somewhere prior to Halibut Point. In roughly the same area, I also saw an unknown surf ski paddler stop to help an OC-1 paddler remount. With the heavy fog in Sandy Bay, I was traveling in a pack with Stephanie Jackenthal, Bob Capellini, Bob Agustynowicz, and Chris Kielb, and we took turns providing each other navigation and status info, remount assistance, and general moral support until we were out of fog’s way. I’m sure other such incidents that I did not observe we’re taking place throughout the course.

Photo by Doug Mogill

And to me, this is truly what the intent and spirit of the Blackburn Challenge is about. It is above all an individual challenge, and at times that challenge will require a willingness to sacrifice personal goals in support of others. The people who rise to that challenge such as those mentioned above help not only the individual who needs immediate aid, but help the event as a whole, and I’d like to offer my sincere appreciation to all of those who responded in such fashion.

The related thought is that the Blackburn, like other large amateur events such as the Pan Mass Challenge and the Boston Marathon – is and should be as much about the people in the back of the pack as it is about the elite and near-elite. I’m continuously encouraged by the growth of surf ski and outrigger paddlers in the Blackburn – they combined in 2009 to represent about 1/3 of the total field. Some of the newer people are displacing the older veterans and challenging their top rankings in the local point standings. But I think the majority of new participants are accepting the challenge of moving these frail-looking, tippy, skinny, uncomfortable craft (and they are uncomfortable after 3 hours!), not because these people have a chance to medal, but simply because learning how to paddle these things 20 miles on the ocean is HARD. The discipline, effort, and accomplishment of anyone who does this is it’s own reward. I hope we can all continue to maintain the co-operative, nurturing spirit shown by the more-experienced paddlers that is helping newer people join the sport. and finish their first Blackburn in record numbers.

Aside from that, I thought that Rich K’s Captain’s Meeting comments were an example of near-comic genius, Donna Lind’s decision to go with rubber bands as meal tickets was actual genius, and the event ran smoothly despite the fog. I was personally thankful that the forecasted 4 – 6 foot seas didn’t materialize. The course conditions were, IMHO, light-to-moderate but annoying – fairly continuous waves throughout, nothing that should really slow anyone down, but nothing that really seemed like a good downwind ride either. So, hats off to anyone who set a PR.

And, as a semi-amateur musician myself, I thought the band sounded fabulous – there is no more righteous sound than a real Hammond B3 in a blues band!

Thanks to all who contributed and participated. ~ Bill